A Former Chargers Running Back to the Saints?

NFL

For eight seasons, Alvin Kamara has excited New Orleans Saints fans whenever he possesses the ball. As soon as it’s announced that number 41 has received the pass, you know he’s going to maneuver in and out, weaving through the defense, determined to make that goal. Although the Saints’ recent season of a 5-12 record couldn’t be enough to again get them to the playoffs, Mr. Kamara did his part to try to get them there with 228 rushing attempts, a career high of 950 yards gained rushing, and scoring six touchdowns. The Saints could’ve had a worse season without his participation, which was always possible if he had to be sidelined due to injury. The team is obviously aware of this and has been searching for and acquiring other RBs in the league to join him on the field or substitute if necessary. The end of the draft doesn’t necessarily mean all the decent players have been chosen, and there are still plenty of good free agents available to sign and train before the preseason opener. For example, if the Los Angeles Chargers don’t retain the services of RB J.K. Dobbins, he may want to consider speaking with the coaching staff in New Orleans.

Mr. Dobbins began his NFL career when he was drafted in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft as the 55th overall pick by the Baltimore Ravens. During his rookie season with the Ravens under coach John Harbaugh, he started in one of the 15 games he played as a running back. He would go on to have 134 rushing attempts, a gain of 805 rushing yards, and score nine touchdowns, all contributing to the Ravens’ 11-5 season. This was obviously regarded as the beginning of a successful professional football career, which would cause him to stand out at the beginning of the 2021 regular season. However, during their final preseason game in which they were playing the Washington Football Team, J.K. became injured with a torn ACL, resulting in being put on injured reserve and then having to miss the entire 2021 season while he recuperated. Fortunately he would be cleared to return in 2022 in Week Three and, partially due to a knee injury causing him to be out for about two months, would start and play in eight games in which he would go on to have 92 rushing attempts, a gain of 502 rushing yards, and score two touchdowns. His 2023 would be brief due to a torn Achilles tendon in their initial game, requiring him to be out the entire final season on the Ravens. He would be signed onto the Los Angeles Chargers in April of 2024 for a one-year contract and during that entire season would start in the 11 of 13 games he played and go on to have 195 rushing attempts, a gain of 905 rushing yards, and score nine touchdowns which was reminiscent of his rookie year.   

A team’s offense can’t rely on one player to carry them to victory every week, which is why that responsibility has to be evenly spread to every man on the field. If one player becomes injured, a suitable replacement must immediately be ready to go without interrupting the pace of the game. If he isn’t offered a contract by the Chargers for another year and ends up with the Saints, Mr. Dobbins can take out some of his frustration against his former team during their initial preseason game in Los Angeles. Those absences from seasons due to injuries may work in his favor because he could still be regarded as early in his professional career. With J.K. Dobbins as Alvin Kamara’s co-RB or substitute, there may be no stopping these two from scoring multiple touchdowns every quarter.

Paul Doize

Paul Doize is a published novelist who is exploring other areas of content to write. In keeping up with the tradition of anyone born in the southeastern part of the United States, he is a fan of the New Orleans Saints. Who dat say they gon' beat them Saints!?

Previous
Previous

Will Gunther Beat Jey Uso on Raw for the Title?

Next
Next

Who Will Win the AFC East in 2025-26?